A DRAG queen scooped a top prize for hitting the most headlines ahead of a charity pageant.

Ben Tye was a finalist at the first ever UK charity drag pageant, Miss Drag UK.

By day, Ben, of Dovercourt, is a holiday park entertainer but by night he becomes drag queen Amber Dextris.

Ben, originally from Colchester, won second place in the Miss Publicity category.

He hit global headlines after receiving fan mail from Prime Minister Theresa May.

Ben, 22, picked up a good luck letter from 10 Downing Street in the post, as well as a signed photo of the Prime Minister which is to go on sale for the Sands charity, which the pageant was in aid of.

He has also appeared on regional TV stations talking about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

As part of the pageant he had to show a high fashion and an evening gown look.

He said: “It was a long and hard day but it was so rewarding. We only had about two hours to get fully ready where it normally takes me about four, so the whole day was a challenge.”

“I’m not sure what I was expecting in regards to the turnout but then the organisers said we can’t sell anymore tickets as the venue was at maximum capacity and I was totally shocked.

“I had no idea how we would fit more than 600 people in the venue.”

Although he did not scoop one of the three crowns, he said the taking part was most important.

He said: “When the show started it was a nervous backstage crowd, but once we all came out to do the first number all the cheers broke the nerves and we all got into it.

“It got to a point in the evening where I wasn’t caring about winning anymore, the whole experience was extraordinary and I’ve made some amazing friends and some incredible memories.

“My boyfriend Jay was incredible at helping me change outfits, and all the way through the process he has been my biggest supporter.

“Miss Drag UK has given us 21 queens a platform to really start our careers in drag and for that I couldn’t be more grateful.

“However, many gins were needed to get me through the day.”